Chennai Grand Masters: Arjun beats world champion Gukesh to move into joint lead

Arjun Erigaisi capitalised on world champion D. Gukesh’s mistakes to move into a joint lead after the fifth round of the fourth Chennai Grand Masters on Monday. With two rounds remaining, Erigaisi is tied with French GM Alireza Firouzja on 3.5 points, while GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov stayed firmly in contention with a victory that took him to 3 points, just half a point off the lead.

The eight-player round-robin tournament carries a prize purse of Rs 75 lakh and valuable FIDE Circuit points. After all four games in the previous round ended in draws, round five produced decisive results that tightened the title race.

The all-Indian clash between Erigaisi and Gukesh began with a ceremonial opening move by Jeshua J, the Tamil Nadu youngster who became the youngest Arena FIDE Master at the age of seven years, 10 months and eight days. Once play settled, Erigaisi remained solid with the black pieces and avoided taking unnecessary risks early. He patiently waited for Gukesh’s accuracy to slip into the middlegame before seizing control as the position opened up.

Erigaisi maintained his advantage in the endgame and, with his passed d-pawn certain to queen, Gukesh resigned on move 63.

Firouzja, who had won his opening two games, was held to a 41-move draw by GM Dmitry Andreikin, allowing Erigaisi to draw level at the top of the standings.

Abdusattorov also made the most of the black pieces, gradually tightening his grip against Indian GM Nihal Sarin before forcing his resignation on move 38. In the day’s other game, GM M Pranesh and GM Hans Niemann settled for a draw.

After five rounds, Erigaisi and Firouzja lead the standings with 3.5 points, followed by Abdusattorov on 3. Andreikin has 2.5 points, while Niemann, Pranesh and Nihal are on 2 points each. Gukesh remains at the bottom of the standings with 1.5 points.

Round six, scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, will see Hans Niemann take on Dmitry Andreikin, Nodirbek Abdusattorov face Alireza Firouzja, M Pranesh meet D Gukesh, and Arjun Erigaisi play Nihal Sarin. With only two rounds remaining, the battle for the title remains wide open.

– Ends